Moazzam Ali, Yoichi Horikoshi.
Situation analysis of health management information system in Pakistan
Pak J Med Res Jun 2002;41(2):64-9.
Pakistan Health Services Academy, Maternal and Child Health Project Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad

The importance of a health information system (HMIS) cannot be ignored because health policies and planning in any country mostly depend on the correct and timely information on various health issues. This paper has endeavored to look into the information system prevalent in Pakistan, with an emphasis on the facility based HMIS and Geographic Information System (GIS). The main methodology used was interviews with key stakeholder including government officials and donor agencies, besides the literature review of the relevant documents. The results showed that currently HMIS is generating information and its coverage is encouraging, but at the same time it needs lot of room for strengthening at various levels. The HMIS approach seems more `data driven` than `action oriented`; there is duplication and lack of coordination among various vertical health information systems. The factor of time lag also holds true as regards receiving of information and its dissemination is concerned. The GIS is relatively a new concept in health sector in Pakistan and consequently application is limited at present. There is a need for strengthening of the whole system with better coordination among various vertical health information systems, which can practically contribute to better decision-makings as well as save wastage of money, men and machinery.

Category: Community Medicine
Keywords: HMIS. Health Management Information System. GIS. Geographic Information.

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A good article
Posted by: moazzamali on Aug 2006

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